www.CostaRicaTicas.com

To the totally uninterested:

January will bring a close to my 64th year and start my 65th. It will also be the 14th year that I have celebrated that conversion in the non-mythical paradise known as San Jose. A very real paradise where a mature man with no manly attributes to brag about can enjoy the finest offerings the city has. A land where choosing either to go to launch or take a lovely young 20 something up to your room is an actual decision to be made. As the latter is so readily available the first is a viable choice.

Am flying in on Continental at a price that a few years ago would have bought me a first-class ticket. We'll be staying at my hotel of choice for Del Ray. I love it. I do not make negative comments about your choice of habitat and will recognize no negativity about my choice. They must be doing well as the only room they have available is a standard. I will be missing my balcony.

I have been away for a year distracted by locally available entertainment. Had a very good run with that unfortunately like all good things it has come to an end. Returning to a much more reliable source. Lost focus for a little while. Got diagnosed with one of those life ending afflictions our bodies acquire. Fortunately for me this was one of those occasions the medical profession displayed significant incompetence. At the end of the day the only thing I had to deal with was an inflamed prostate easily treatable with antibiotics. Don't trust the first opinion and don't stop at the second. Always assume they're wrong and do your best to prove it.

Hopefully I will be encountering some of the unique personalities who I have had the good fortune to meet sitting at the well used tables at the Del Ray. Yes: Vegas Bob, Hoppy and Sin city am talking about you. Cracker Ass you definitely get an honorable mention if for no other reason than the choice of name. As with all trips I'm sure there will be new names that'll have the good fortune to meet. Never hesitate to stop and say hello I'm not the best conversationalist in the world but I do genuinely enjoy listening to people's stories.

With a years absence I also look forward to a whole new crop of sweet young things. Yes like all of you I'm not there for the food alcohol or conversation.

Lee

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PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

you're in luck pal, (for a couple of days anyway) I'll be around town from the 5th-11th & look forward to ogling chicas with you at the office!

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"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

i will be in town also on the 5th to the 10th. Let me know closer to flying and we will meet up for a drink.

Chuck

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Remember in Costa Rica when you get off the plane not every girl is a hooker
on her knees waiting to blow you for 50 cents.

I am a pu*sy pirate, call me Jack Sparrow, take off my pants and see my flesh arrow.
"Boats and Hoes"

Lee

Truly great news that you are heading back down. I look forward to your on-site reporting, especially since it gives a great insight to ground zero. Not to mention good info for my trip a few weeks later.

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In honor of Jimmy V week, "Don't give up, don't ever give up!"

Have a great trip Lee
Hope you run into the guy that has your favorite room, perhaps he will let you check in on the plants

Welcome back Lee...things are just the way you left them


Enjoy ur trip


Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

Thank you gentlemen:

Appreciate the generous welcome.

SinCity: glad to hear you'll be in town. Looking forward to ogling chicas with you. I have a new pair of glasses should help.

ChuckNorris: please join us.

Nhhank: I'm bringing along some plant food I'm sure that for the right fee the maid will let me slip in and do some plant care.

Tstef527: of course I will be doing my usual long boring on the site reports. As always for those who don't like them don't read them.

Cujo'S: I'm sure I will enjoy the trip can't think of one that was bad enough to complain about.

Lee

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PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

Compadre Lee,
I will be there too during the reportedly slow season in SJO. I'm sure we can find sufficient entertainment. I will look for you at the HDR, I will be hanging at the end of the bar near the bullet hole, which I'm sure they haven't repaired yet. A cerveza is on me. Try to keep your eyes off my girfriend Mia, who actually be MIA from the HDR bar.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Lee,
I appreciated you writing your biopic. I am a 55 year old guy and I just started the hobby a few years ago. I worry that as I get older I would be less inclined to monger or that the chicas would find me just too repulsive. I guess that aint the case if you are still going strong. Thanks for the post. I am coming down in late January.

Jawanker:

Will not be the first place I spent the night with bullet holes in it. I would venture to say you're right about the lack of repair. In the main bar area there are broken windows that have been in that condition since the late 90s. I'll take you up on that free drink. I'm not one to chase bartenders too much other more attainable entertainment. That said if Mia knocked on my door at 4 in the morning I would let her in. Not an idle statement happened long ago with a different girl.

Lee

_________________
PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

Estebanh:

One of my many opinions is that this is an older man's hobby. I really don't quite understand why such large numbers of young men seem to be pursuing it. One of the notes I have made on my visits in the last 10 years or so is the ever increasing number of younger and younger men hanging out at the Delray.

Their biggest pitfall is that they get it confused with ownership ( the love and marriage thing ). By your mid-50s you understand the difference between a short-term business deal and a relationship.

I think you'll find that being an older man is not a limiting factor. I will never be confused with any woman's dream man. I'm a skinny little thing with gray hair gray beard and glasses. I've never been turned down with a few exceptions that were probably more of a money issue than anything else. And to continue my unsolicited advice I would suggest that if you treat them with respect don't be too cheap with the money and be gentle you will acquire a good reputation. Yes they do network. With a good reputation it's a buyers market were thay will be seeking you out. Sorry I do tend to ramble.

Lee

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PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

Hi Lee,

It's good to see that "The Office" will be open soon. Although I am hooked on Medellin and won't be in CR myself, I look forward to your reports. Have a great trip. Mark52

Mark52:

Thanks for the encouragement. Once I get to a point were I have a little more time off I'll have to make it a little further south and open a branch office.

Lee

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PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

Maybe for your 15th year in a row at the DelRey they'll comp you a free room! Well maybe a free cup of coffee but don't bet on it. Wish I could join you but have been called away on a mission trip to a different land to help women in need, our work is never done... Have a great birthday and lots of fun old friend.

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Greetings! I just set up my first solo trip to CR for Jan. 7-18. My buddies I usually travel with can't make it this early in the year. I'm celebrating my early retirement after 27 years in public safety at the ripe "old" age of 50. I'm splitting my time staying at the Sportsman's and La Amistad. I'd consider it an honor and a privilege to meet and getting to know one of the legends in trip report postings.